TEXAS NEWS
Eight data centers threaten to transform small Texas county
Read full article: Eight data centers threaten to transform small Texas countyAt least 248 data centers are planned to be built in Texas. Of those, nearly half will be built in unincorporated areas, where county officials are limited in their ability to regulate development, according to a Texas Tribune analysis.
Texas Children’s Hospital’s detransition clinic to launch this year, include mental health and endocrinology services
Read full article: Texas Children’s Hospital’s detransition clinic to launch this year, include mental health and endocrinology servicesThe Houston hospital must set up the facility within 90 days of signing a settlement agreement with the Texas attorney general and and create a list of potential gender affirming patients, according to a document obtained by The Texas Tribune.
Texas lifts commercial drivers license ban for temporary agricultural workers
Read full article: Texas lifts commercial drivers license ban for temporary agricultural workersThe policy change was announced hours after the Department of Public Safety removed the Spanish language option for commercial driver’s license tests to align with federal guidance.
Paxton sues Denton to block gender-neutral changing rooms at Pride pool party
Read full article: Paxton sues Denton to block gender-neutral changing rooms at Pride pool partyTwo LGBTQ+ groups called the lawsuit “frivolous,” saying plans for the event at a public pool had already changed to comply with a new Texas law.
Corpus Christi reconsiders building a desalination plant leaders rejected last year
Read full article: Corpus Christi reconsiders building a desalination plant leaders rejected last yearThe almost billion-dollar plant, praised as a drought-resistant option, wouldn’t provide water until 2029. Opponents cite cost and environmental concerns.
Texas schools say they still face budget difficulties despite $8.5 billion boost
Read full article: Texas schools say they still face budget difficulties despite $8.5 billion boostPublic school leaders told lawmakers how they're navigating finances, teacher quality and special education after last year’s state funding overhaul.
ICE sued over “inhumane” conditions at Camp East Montana in West Texas
Read full article: ICE sued over “inhumane” conditions at Camp East Montana in West TexasThe El Paso tent camp has seen at least three detainee deaths, a measles outbreak and nearly 50 detention standards violations in less than a year of operation.
Outside spending blitz defined the close of Texas’ District 35 Democratic runoff
Read full article: Outside spending blitz defined the close of Texas’ District 35 Democratic runoffTo counter what appeared to be a GOP push to elevate Maureen Galindo, who’d voiced antisemitic stereotypes, national Democrats carpet-bombed the San Antonio area with $1.7 million worth of ads.
Accused of a crime after shooting a migrant in Minnesota, ICE agent is arrested in South Texas
Read full article: Accused of a crime after shooting a migrant in Minnesota, ICE agent is arrested in South TexasMinnesota prosecutors say the agent lied about what led up to the shooting. He is now charged with four felonies and one misdemeanor.
Teaching restrictions prompted half of surveyed Texas Tech faculty to alter courses, results show
Read full article: Teaching restrictions prompted half of surveyed Texas Tech faculty to alter courses, results showA faculty senate survey found professors altered or were asked to change material in 277 courses after Texas Tech’s restrictions on race, sexuality and gender.
In Harris County judge runoff, a Democratic upset underscores voters’ desire for new blood
Read full article: In Harris County judge runoff, a Democratic upset underscores voters’ desire for new bloodFormer Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer defeated longtime local politician Annise Parker to win the Democratic nomination for Harris County judge in what political experts say might be a sign of the changing of the guard.
A Texas town hopes a new data center will pay to fix its cracked streets and leaking pipes
Read full article: A Texas town hopes a new data center will pay to fix its cracked streets and leaking pipesLacy Lakeview, a Waco suburb, said it is considering a data center project in efforts to boost their spending power to repair aging roads.
With limited options, Corpus Christi focuses on delaying – not avoiding – its looming water crisis
Read full article: With limited options, Corpus Christi focuses on delaying – not avoiding – its looming water crisisThe city is looking into emergency conservation measures as most options for additional water have been tapped or are years from completion.
From Cornyn to Paxton: How Trump helped accelerate the Texas GOP’s transformation
Read full article: From Cornyn to Paxton: How Trump helped accelerate the Texas GOP’s transformationThe power struggle between old-school Bush Republicans and hardline conservatives predates President Donald Trump. But he has used his clout to help tip the scales.
Austin ISD’s bid to avoid state takeover rejected by Texas Education Agency
Read full article: Austin ISD’s bid to avoid state takeover rejected by Texas Education AgencyTEA officials on Thursday denied the district’s request to approve a partnership to run its three chronically failing schools that would have put a pause on the campuses' accountability rating.
East Texas could be the key to developing critical lithium supply for the U.S. military
Read full article: East Texas could be the key to developing critical lithium supply for the U.S. militaryTexas lawmakers proposed a bill to allow private-sector lithium mining companies to work on certain military bases.
Camp Mystic chief health officer barred from direct patient care by Texas nursing board
Read full article: Camp Mystic chief health officer barred from direct patient care by Texas nursing boardMary Liz Eastland failed to develop proper emergency plans or properly respond to the flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors last year, the order states.
Tala-freak-o vs. Ken the Criminal: Texas candidates sharpen attacks as U.S. Senate race locks in
Read full article: Tala-freak-o vs. Ken the Criminal: Texas candidates sharpen attacks as U.S. Senate race locks inTexas' Ken Paxton and James Talarico focus their energies — and attack ads — on each other as the fight for U.S. Senate narrows to two.
Senate GOP leaders spent months trashing Paxton. Can they turn the page and unify against Talarico?
Read full article: Senate GOP leaders spent months trashing Paxton. Can they turn the page and unify against Talarico?Paxton’s blowout win on Tuesday compelled an alliance by necessity, if not natural synergy, between the attorney general and the Washington groups that spent months trying to elect John Cornyn.
Hill Country ranch with caves, cliffs and lake will become Texas’ second-largest state park
Read full article: Hill Country ranch with caves, cliffs and lake will become Texas’ second-largest state parkThe 54,000-acre Silver Lake Ranch, straddling Kinney and Edwards counties, has a 30-acre spring-fed lake. An opening date hasn’t been determined.
ICE detainees are dying by suicide at an 'alarming' rate, an AP investigation finds
Read full article: ICE detainees are dying by suicide at an 'alarming' rate, an AP investigation findsImmigration and Customs Enforcement detainees are taking their own lives at a pace that’s unprecedented in the agency’s two-decade history, highlighting what experts call failures in care and oversight.
One in five Latino Trump voters in Texas would not repeat vote if given redo, poll finds
Read full article: One in five Latino Trump voters in Texas would not repeat vote if given redo, poll findsThe survey is the latest to measure eroding Latino support for the president and the GOP after historic gains in 2024. But a polling expert said Democrats were “still underperforming” among the bloc.
Colin Allred tops Julie Johnson in redistricting-driven runoff battle of Dallas Democrats
Read full article: Colin Allred tops Julie Johnson in redistricting-driven runoff battle of Dallas DemocratsJohnson succeeded Allred in Congress, but Republican redistricting pushed them into an unusual primary confrontation for the 33rd Congressional District.
Democrat Johnny Garcia to face Republican Carlos De La Cruz for redrawn Texas district
Read full article: Democrat Johnny Garcia to face Republican Carlos De La Cruz for redrawn Texas districtThe boundaries of the 35th Congressional District in South Central Texas were redrawn in 2025 to favor GOP candidates as requested by President Trump.
Vikki Goodwin defeats Houston union leader in lieutenant governor Democratic runoff
Read full article: Vikki Goodwin defeats Houston union leader in lieutenant governor Democratic runoffThe Austin lawmaker now faces an uphill battle against Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the state’s second-highest executive, in November.
Tom Sell, Jon Bonck win open GOP primary runoffs for solidly red congressional seats
Read full article: Tom Sell, Jon Bonck win open GOP primary runoffs for solidly red congressional seatsWith their Republican nominations in hand, the two are favored to win their GOP-leaning seats in November to replace outgoing Reps. Jodey Arrington and Wesley Hunt.
Alex Mealer wins GOP nomination for new Houston congressional district, defeating state Rep. Briscoe Cain
Read full article: Alex Mealer wins GOP nomination for new Houston congressional district, defeating state Rep. Briscoe CainThe Army veteran was endorsed by President Donald Trump and saw millions in outside spending on her behalf. Cain, meanwhile, was backed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
‘The last of the gentlemen Republicans’: John Cornyn’s four-decade political career ends with a MAGA uprising
Read full article: ‘The last of the gentlemen Republicans’: John Cornyn’s four-decade political career ends with a MAGA uprisingA former state Supreme Court justice, Texas attorney general and a four-term U.S. senator, Cornyn had held on in the Republican Party as it transformed from the party of Bush, to the Tea Party movement and eventually the dominion of Trump.
Paxton-backed Thomas Smith defeats Alison Fox in GOP runoff for Texas’ highest criminal court
Read full article: Paxton-backed Thomas Smith defeats Alison Fox in GOP runoff for Texas’ highest criminal courtThe all-Republican Court of Criminal Appeals has undergone extensive turnover since AG Ken Paxton began targeting incumbent judges.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wins Republican runoff for US Senate, defeating longtime Sen. John Cornyn
Read full article: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wins Republican runoff for US Senate, defeating longtime Sen. John CornynTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton wins Republican runoff for US Senate, defeating longtime Sen. John Cornyn.
Christian Menefee defeats longtime Houston Rep. Al Green in Texas’ new 18th Congressional District
Read full article: Christian Menefee defeats longtime Houston Rep. Al Green in Texas’ new 18th Congressional DistrictGreen’s loss means the Texas House delegation is losing one of its most senior members, who served more than 20 years in Congress.